Volunteers clear trash at Lane Manor Splash Park in August of 2024. They collected many, large bags full of bottles and plastics from a stream where local families recreate, picnic, and swim on a hot summer’s day. We deserve better and so do our waterways!
Source: Angie McCarthy
Update as of January 17, 2025:
On January 14th, Montgomery County Council heard from many supporters for the BYOB Bill in person, and received hundreds of emails sent from Nature Forward members in support for the bill. Thank you! There is a Transportation and Environment Committee meeting scheduled to discuss the legislation on February 3. A vote has not been scheduled. You can read more about the hearing here or watch the testimonies here.
Have you ever looked to escape your everyday life by immersing yourself in nature? Me, too! I imagine many of us feel similarly at Nature Forward. But have you ever gotten to what you envisioned as a pristine spot only to find a place littered with plastic carryout bags, takeout containers, and other debris? This inevitably shoots you right out of your calm and back to reality. There is a path to change. In October 2024, Montgomery Council President Kate Stewart introduced a bag bill that would build upon the legacy of the current County bag tax that was implemented in May 2011.
Bill 24-24, or the Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) bill, seeks to ban single use plastic bags while increasing much needed funding for projects designed to protect water quality. The bill is looking to increase the use of reusable bags, but for those of us who forget our bags in the car, we will be able to buy paper bags for 10 cents. This is an increase of 5 cents from the previous paper bag fee. Five cents would go back to retailers, while the other five would go to the Water Quality Protection Charge fund. Importantly, the bill has exceptions for residents who receive Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and/or Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits when purchasing paper bags.
The legislation is a result of a 2023 Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report. That report found that poor administration and implementation of our current plastic bag tax diminished the bill’s effectiveness. Many businesses were not collecting the tax and the County had no way to track those missing fees. So, the OIG suggested changes to improve the legislation so that our waterways can remain plastic bag free.
Along with the rest of the Stormwater Partners Network, Nature Forward supports the bill but recommends amendments to make the bill’s language as clear and strong as possible. In short, we suggest closing several loopholes; adding an explanation about how DEP will support and educate low-income shoppers; and ensuring that the measure includes the incorporated jurisdictions in the County. You can read that letter below:
A sunny day looking across the Anacostia River towards RFK stadium. Within the lilies and rivergrass: plenty of plastic bags from North of DC that have made their way down our waterways.
Source: Angie McCarthy
What Can You Do?
You can sign up to testify in person or virtually in support of the Bring Your Own Bag Bill this Tuesday, January 14th at 1:30 pm on the Council website here. The deadline to sign up is January 13th at 2 pm. Please email me if you plan to attend, and we can sit together!
Find your Montgomery County Council member using this map, and tell them that you are supporting the BYOB Bill with amendments to make it stronger! You can use our form below. Be sure to include the At-Large members in your emails and phone calls! As a reminder, Montgomery County takes comments even after a hearing has happened so be sure to let your Councilmembers know your thoughts.
